The Boat Race: everything you need to know

Events on the riverbank kick off at 12pm at Bishop's Park, Fulham, and the Adnams Fan Park in Furnivall Gardens, Hammersmith. At 2.41pm the traditional pre-race coin tosses begin, but it’s not until 4.31pm that the riparian riot gets into full swing when the starting gun marks the beginning of The Cancer Research UK Women's Boat Race. The Men’s Boat Race takes place an hour later at 5.32pm, and all the action will be televised from 4pm.

Given its redbrick university connections, you’d be forgiven for associating the Boat Race with more hoity-toity events in the sporting world, but unlike the polo and the horse races anyone can rock up for free along the four-and-a-quarter mile route from Putney to Mortlake free.

Stoking a student rivalry that goes back centuries, the race is an annual contest between the rowing crews from Oxford and Cambridge universities. The teams compete in eight-oared rowing boats, each steered by a cox who sits in the stern (that’s the back of the boat). The four crews are known as the Blue Boats after the award their universities give them for competing in the race.

Despite the competition’s 189-year history, it was only in 2015 that the Women’s Boat Race first took place on the same course, on the same day as the men's (the women's race previously took place in Henley). Founded in 1927, it wasn't until the ‘60s that the race became an annual fixture and, even by then, the participating female rowers faced abuse and criticism from their male counterparts.

As with all outdoor British sports don’t forget to pack your brolly if rain’s on the cards and fill up your rucksack with plenty of cans and sausage rolls to get into the all-day boozing spirit.

The towpath along Putney Embankment is a great viewing location because there’s a long, clear view of the race in both directions. For other rip-rowing views stake out a coveted spot at Hammersmith Bridge, Chiswick Pier and Dukes Meadow – where you’ll see the final stages of the race. If you don’t fancy standing out in the cold, check our guide to the best pubs along the route.

In 2012, the umpire stopped the men's race after a rogue swimmer appeared in the race path. The race was restarted with the crews level, however, shortly after the restart, Oxford broke an oar and Cambridge went on to take the win.

As with lots of British events, the race is accompanied by plenty of weird traditions and rituals. Before the race, the rowing clubs’ presidents toss a coin (an 1829 gold sovereign, no less) for the right to pick which side of the river they row on. After the winning crew has been presented with the trophy, their cox is dunked in the Thames.

National treasure Hugh Laurie has even taken up an oar, rowing in the Cambridge Blue Boat in 1980. He was keeping it in the family: his father Ran Laurie stroked Cambridge to victory between 1934-36 and won a gold medal at the 1948 London Olympics. 

You’re probably wondering how all this started in the first place. Well, the race came about after two former Harrow school chums Charles Wordsworth (at Oxford) and Charles Merivale (at Cambridge) went rowing on the Cam, and the two fellows decided to set up a challenge. Thanks for the good times Charlies.